Kona patrol officers determined that a man armed with a handgun, forced his way into the home, overpowered the victim, forced to the ground and tied him up with plastic tie strips. The suspect then searched the home for cash and valuables and left in the victim’s vehicle.

The suspect was described as a local male, being 6 feet in height, weighing 180 to 200 pounds and wearing a hooded sweat shirt over a beanie cap, a bandana over his nose and mouth, shorts and slippers.

This was the second home invasion in South Kona in less than two weeks. On the morning of September 10, 2003, two men dressed as police officers forced their was into a Honaunau residence, tied up a 49-year-old male occupant and escaped with an undetermined amount of cash and valuables.

Kona patrol officers have initiated a burglary, terroristic threatening, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and criminal property damage investigation into Thursday’s robbery.

West Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section detectives are continuing the investigation.

Anyone information about the incident or the identity of the suspect is asked to call Detective Zack Houchin of the West Hawaii CIS at 326-4232 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. The numbers are answered 24 hours a day. Callers will be given a coded number and their identity will remain anonymous. Callers may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if their call leads to an arrest, indictment or the recovery of property. Crime Stoppers neither subscribes to “Caller ID,” nor does it record phone calls.